Game ID: 22300161
San Antonio Spurs @ New York Knicks
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NYK 33 32 34 27 126SAS 16 35 21 33 105
NYK vs SAS ScoutingNYK vs SAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NYK availability going into 10/31 · 2 days' restOUT Fournier missed 3 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK McBride back 10/28 after 2, 4 min since (22% of 21)
BACK Sims back 10/28 after 2, 4 min since (37% of 12)
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 3
NYK availability going into 11/01 · back-to-backOUT Fournier missed 4 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK McBride back 10/28 after 2, 4 min since (21% of 21)
BACK Sims back 10/28 after 2, 4 min since (30% of 12)
NYK availability going into 11/03 · 1 day's restOUT Fournier missed 5 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK McBride back 10/28 after 2, 6 min since (29% of 21)
BACK Sims back 10/28 after 2, 4 min since (30% of 12)
NYK availability going into 11/06 · 2 days' restOUT Barrett missed 2 since 11/01, returns tonight: 31 min (104% of 30)
OUT Fournier missed 6 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 2 since 11/01, out tonight
BACK McBride back 10/28 after 2, 5 min since (24% of 21)
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Grimes 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 11/08 · 1 day's restOUT Fournier missed 7 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 3 since 11/01, returns tonight: 2 min (12% of 12)
BACK Barrett back 11/06 after 2, 31 min since (104% of 30)
BACK McBride back 10/28 after 2, 5 min since (24% of 21)
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 11/12 · 3 days' restOUT Fournier missed 8 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK Barrett back 11/06 after 2, 31 min since (106% of 30)
BACK Sims back 11/08 after 3, 2 min since (12% of 12)
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 11/13 · back-to-backOUT Fournier missed 9 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK Barrett back 11/06 after 2, 31 min since (105% of 30)
BACK Sims back 11/08 after 3, 4 min since (33% of 12)
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 11/15 · 1 day's restOUT Fournier missed 10 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK Barrett back 11/06 after 2, 31 min since (105% of 30)
BACK Sims back 11/08 after 3, 3 min since (24% of 12)
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 11/17 · 1 day's restOUT Barrett missed 2 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 11 since 10/25, returns tonight: 16 min (121% of 13)
BACK Sims back 11/08 after 3, 3 min since (24% of 12)
NEW Robinson 24 to 31 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 10/31 · 1 day's restOUT Graham missed 3 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK Champagnie back 10/29 after 2, 7 min since (35% of 20)
BACK Wesley back 10/29 after 2, 7 min since (48% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 10/29 after 2, 5 min since (38% of 13)
NEW Collins 22 to 32 min over the last 3
SAS availability going into 11/02 · 1 day's restOUT Graham missed 4 since 10/25, out tonight
BACK Champagnie back 10/29 after 2, 5 min since (25% of 20)
BACK Wesley back 10/29 after 2, 7 min since (48% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 10/29 after 2, 5 min since (38% of 13)
NEW Collins 22 to 31 min over the last 4
SAS availability going into 11/05 · 2 days' restOUT Wesley missed 2 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Graham missed 5 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Barlow missed 2 since 10/31, out tonight
BACK Champagnie back 10/29 after 2, 5 min since (25% of 20)
NEW Collins 22 to 32 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/06 · back-to-backOUT Wesley missed 3 since 10/31, returns tonight: 8 min (53% of 14)
OUT Graham missed 6 since 10/25, returns tonight: 12 min (88% of 14)
OUT Barlow missed 3 since 10/31, returns tonight: 8 min (60% of 13)
BACK Champagnie back 10/29 after 2, 6 min since (28% of 20)
NEW Collins 22 to 33 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/08 · 1 day's restOUT Vassell missed 2 since 11/05, returns tonight: 12 min (36% of 33)
OUT Cissoko missed 2 since 11/05, out tonight
BACK Champagnie back 10/29 after 2, 8 min since (42% of 20)
BACK Wesley back 10/29 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 14)
BACK Graham back 11/06 after 6, 12 min since (88% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 10/29 after 2, 6 min since (49% of 13)
NEW Collins 22 to 29 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/10 · 1 day's restOUT Cissoko missed 3 since 11/05, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/08 after 2, 12 min since (36% of 33)
BACK Wesley back 11/06 after 3, 5 min since (37% of 14)
BACK Graham back 11/06 after 6, 12 min since (88% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 11/06 after 3, 5 min since (42% of 13)
NEW Collins 22 to 29 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/12 · 1 day's restOUT Graham missed 2 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Cissoko missed 4 since 11/05, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/08 after 2, 23 min since (70% of 33)
BACK Wesley back 11/06 after 3, 5 min since (37% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 11/06 after 3, 5 min since (42% of 13)
NEW Collins 22 to 28 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/14 · 1 day's restOUT Champagnie missed 2 since 11/10, returns tonight: 31 min (155% of 20)
OUT Wesley missed 2 since 11/10, out tonight
OUT Graham missed 3 since 11/08, returns tonight: 17 min (126% of 14)
OUT Barlow missed 2 since 11/10, returns tonight: 5 min (41% of 13)
OUT Cissoko missed 5 since 11/05, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/08 after 2, 27 min since (80% of 33)
NEW Collins 22 to 28 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/17 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 2 since 11/12, out tonight
OUT Wesley missed 3 since 11/10, returns tonight: 4 min (26% of 14)
OUT Cissoko missed 6 since 11/05, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/08 after 2, 26 min since (79% of 33)
BACK Champagnie back 11/14 after 2, 31 min since (155% of 20)
BACK Graham back 11/06 after 6, 15 min since (107% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 11/06 after 3, 5 min since (42% of 13)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 98, shooting 40 percent and 27 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 22 and Barrett at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 127, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 18 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 20 and Vassell at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Vassell (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 98 a night to San Antonio's 127 and the glass, where New York has been plus-11 a night and San Antonio minus-5. Call it New York 116, San Antonio 105, New York by 11.
10/31 @ CLE 109-91 — NYK notes
NYK won 109-91. NYK shot 44% (38 of 86) to CLE's 39%, 13 of 34 from three, and went to the line 25 times to CLE's 12 — 20 points from the stripe to their 9. Brunson led with 19 (7 of 16, 1 of 3 from three); Randle added 19, Quickley 18. The hinge was Q3, 28-16: a lead of 6 became 18, and the lead reached 23. Brunson was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
11/01 vs CLE 89-95 — NYK notes
NYK lost 89-95. NYK took 18 more shots (92 to 74), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 35% to CLE's 43%, 5 of 30 from three, and went to the line 30 times to CLE's 20 — 20 points from the stripe to their 19. NYK turned it over 13 times to CLE's 18. Brunson led with 24 (8 of 23, 8 of 9 at the line); Quickley added 18, DiVincenzo 16. Q2 was theirs, 28-25, turning a 2-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 70-61 against them. Grimes's -9 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/03 @ MIL 105-110 — NYK notes
NYK lost 105-110. NYK took 14 more shots (96 to 82), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to MIL's 43%, 10 of 39 from three. The glass went 56-41 for them. Brunson led with 45 (17 of 30, 2 of 8 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Grimes added 17, Randle 16. Q1 was theirs, 25-21, but the other 3 periods went 89-80 against them. DiVincenzo's -10 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/06 vs LAC 111-97 — NYK notes
NYK won 111-97. NYK shot 47% (41 of 88) to LAC's 49%, 12 of 31 from three. The glass went 48-31 for them. Randle led with 27 (9 of 21, 3 of 8 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Barrett added 26, Robinson 13. The hinge was Q4, 35-21: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 17. NYK trailed 42-46 at the half and won the second half 69-51. Quickley was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
11/08 vs SAS 126-105 — NYK notes
NYK won 126-105. NYK shot 46% (46 of 100) to SAS's 49%, 19 of 42 from three, and went to the line 22 times to SAS's 13 — 15 points from the stripe to their 8. NYK turned it over 3 times to SAS's 13. Brunson led with 25 (8 of 19, 5 of 8 from three); Barrett added 24, Randle 23. The hinge was Q1, 33-16: from level to 17 ahead, and the lead reached 30. Randle was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
11/12 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 100, shooting 42 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 24 and Barrett at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. 3 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 125, shooting 50 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Hayward at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Bridges (7 straight), Rozier (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 100 a night to Charlotte's 125. Call it New York 117, Charlotte 109.
11/13 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 107, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Tatum at 26 and Brown at 23 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 103, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 25 free throws a game; Barrett at 25 and Brunson at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Boston plus-2. Call it Boston 112, New York 107.
11/15 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Fernando (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Barrett at 25 and Brunson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Atlanta giving it away 16 times a game to New York's 10 and the defense, New York allowing 107 a night to Atlanta's 117. Call it New York 114, Atlanta 113, Atlanta keeping it close.
11/17 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Kuzma at 24 and Poole at 13 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 14 a night. One day's rest. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 43 from three, 21 free throws a game; Randle at 25 and Barrett at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Barrett (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-14 and the arc, New York at 43 percent from three to Washington's 36. Call it New York 115, Washington 112, Washington keeping it close.
10/31 @ PHX 115-114 — SAS notes
SAS won 115-114. SAS shot 47% (43 of 92) to PHX's 51%, 14 of 37 from three. SAS turned it over 12 times to PHX's 19. Johnson led with 27 (10 of 20, 4 of 9 from three); Vassell added 18, Wembanyama 18. The hinge was Q4, 33-19: SAS came in trailing by 13 and left it ahead by 1. SAS trailed 45-63 at the half and won the second half 70-51.
11/02 @ PHX 132-121 — SAS notes
SAS won 132-121. SAS shot 52% (51 of 98) to PHX's 54%, 18 of 37 from three, and got to the line 13 times to PHX's 26. SAS turned it over 8 times to PHX's 14. Wembanyama led with 38 (15 of 26, 3 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Collins added 19, Vassell 17. The hinge was Q1, 39-20: from level to 19 ahead, and the lead reached 27. Wembanyama was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
11/05 vs TOR 116-123 — SAS notes
SAS lost 116-123 in 1 overtime. SAS shot 50% (48 of 96) to TOR's 45%, 10 of 32 from three, and got to the line 13 times to TOR's 26. Johnson led with 26 (11 of 18, 2 of 4 from three); Collins added 21, Wembanyama 20. Q2 was theirs, 28-13, but the other 4 periods went 110-88 against them. They led by as many as 22. Johnson's -17 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/06 @ IND 111-152 — SAS notes
SAS lost 111-152. SAS shot 43% (40 of 94) to IND's 58%, 8 of 26 from three, and went to the line 30 times to IND's 23 — 23 points from the stripe to their 22. The glass went 36-49 against them. McDermott led with 17 (5 of 9, 4 of 6 from three); Johnson added 16, Collins 14. Q3 was theirs, 26-33, but the other 3 periods went 119-85 against them. Branham's -28 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/08 @ NYK 105-126 — SAS notes
SAS lost 105-126. SAS shot 49% (44 of 90) to NYK's 46%, 9 of 34 from three, and got to the line 13 times to NYK's 22. SAS turned it over 13 times to NYK's 3. Sochan led with 16 (7 of 12, 2 of 4 from three); Wembanyama added 14, Branham 14. Q4 was theirs, 33-27, the deficit cut from 27 to 21, but the other 3 periods went 99-72 against them. Wembanyama's -25 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/10 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 127, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 21 and Johnson at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 104, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 30 and Towns at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 104 a night to San Antonio's 127 and the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-4 a night and San Antonio minus-3. Call it Minnesota 119, San Antonio 110.
11/12 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 128, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 23 and Vassell at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Adebayo at 23 and Butler III at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Martin (8 straight), Jović (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 108 a night to San Antonio's 128 and the turnovers, Miami giving it away 17 times a game to San Antonio's 13. Call it Miami 116, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
11/14 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 35 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 127, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 19 and Vassell at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Champagnie (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 116 a night to San Antonio's 127 and the line, where OKC takes 25 free throws a game to San Antonio's 17. Call it OKC 123, San Antonio 113, OKC by 10.
11/17 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 127, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 16 and Vassell at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Jones (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Huerter at 21 and Sabonis at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Mitchell (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Sacramento allowing 114 a night to San Antonio's 127 and the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-5 a night and San Antonio minus-3. Call it Sacramento 119, San Antonio 112.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
NYKDD D. DiVincenzo
DJ D. Jeffries
IH I. Hartenstein
IQ I. Quickley
JB J. Brunson
JH J. Hart
JR J. Randle
JS J. Sims
MR M. Robinson
QG Q. Grimes
RB R. Barrett
SASBW B. Wesley
CB C. Bassey
CO C. Osman
DB D. Barlow
DM D. McDermott
DV D. Vassell
JC J. Champagnie
JS J. Sochan
KJ K. Johnson
MB M. Branham
SM S. Mamukelashvili
TJ T. Jones
VW V. Wembanyama
ZC Z. Collins
NYK/SAS the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Wembanyama has a rough debut at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks rout the Spurs 126-105
NEW YORK -- — Victor Wembanyama saw the retired jerseys, soaked in the atmosphere and quickly understood why his coach and so many others told him Madison Square Garden was the best place to play basketball.
“I think no matter how many times I will play here, it will always be special,” Wembanyama said.
And it will surely get better.
The No. 1 draft pick's first game at the famed arena was one of the worst of his young career, as he managed just one basket in the first three quarters of the New York Knicks ' 126-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
The 7-foot-3 Wembanyama missed his first seven shots and had more airballs (2) than field goals through three quarters, when the Knicks led by as much as 30 points. He was in danger of failing to reach double figures for the first time before scoring eight points in the fourth to finish with 14 on 4-for-14 shooting.
Jalen Brunson scored 25 points for the Knicks (4-4), who won their second consecutive game. RJ Barrett added 24 points and six assists, while Julius Randle had 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Immanuel Quickley scored 19 off the bench and Mitchell Robinson spearheaded the strong defensive effort on Wembanyama with eight points and 12 rebounds.
Wembanyama, who came in leading NBA rookies with 19.4 points per game, grabbed nine rebounds but missed all four 3-point attempts. He got some nice cheers beforehand and then late in the game, but also some jeers during it.
“You have a 19-year-old rookie who is just learning about the NBA. Of course it’s a learning experience,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said.
Jeremy Sochan had 16 points and six rebounds for the Spurs. Two nights after losing 152-111 in Indiana, they were down big most of the way and dropped their third straight.
When they arrived Wednesday for their morning shootaround, Popovich told some of his players they were in the best arena to play basketball, which is the same thing Wembanyama had heard — though he said MSG wasn’t as big as he expected.
It still holds nearly 20,000 fans and the crowd got awfully loud when Wembanyama threw up two airballs during his dreadful first half.
Brunson said the Knicks blocked out the hype surrounding Wembanyama's arrival for a nationally televised matchup.
“Obviously this place is amazing, ... the history, all that stuff,” Brunson said. “I think just for us, we just focus on what we can control and that’s sticking together and trying to be the best team we can be.”
Wembanyama took and missed the Spurs’ first three shots, a pair of 3-pointers sandwiched around a 10-footer that fell short of the rim. Those struggles helped spark the Knicks’ fast start, and it was 13-0 before the Spurs made their first shot.
It was 33-16 after one and grew to 42-21 after Wembanyama took another shot that failed to reach the basket, this one from behind the arc. The Knicks eventually recovered the ball and Quickley drove for a layup, celebrating afterward along the sideline with Knicks superfan Spike Lee.
The lead ballooned to 99-70 when Quickley stole the ball from Wembanyama and fed Isaiah Hartenstein for a dunk. Moments later there were chants of “Overrated! Overrated!” after a frustrated Wembanyama took a swipe at Quickley after he was fouled.
Devin Vassell returned after missing the previous two games with a strained left adductor and had four points. Popovich said before the game he expected the San Antonio guard would also miss this game.